Dance with Me

Wildfire #12

by Winifred Madison

"If there's anything in my life I regret, it's the day my mother invited you here," Margo spat at her cousin, Jennifer. "You've snatched away the only person I ever cared about."

When Jennifer spends the summer with her sophisticated cousin, she leaves behind everything she love—her family, life on the ranch, and Russ... Or does she love Russ? She's not sure.

She's even more confused when she finds herself drawn to Margo's boyfriend, Gary. She's afraid of hurting Margo...and Russ. Besides, Gary wants so much from her, and Jennifer doesn't know whether she's willing to change—for anybody.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

Paperback

Published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Kency · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Talking was so easy, writing so difficult." Dance With Me by Winifred Madison

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So to be straight, the first three chapters of this book made me start it over and over again. I had a reading slump while I'm on this book. I can't really get the start. And then, I tried reading it over again. I found myself reading the fourth, fifth chapter, and so on. It was then clear to me. The rest of it was interesting then to read.

[Spoilers!] Like the main character Jennifer, I was puzzled with Lois and her daugter Margo. When Jen was about to leave the ranch to go to Hillside to be with his aunt and Margo, I felt pity for her family and for Russ. How would Jen dare to leave them? I thought myself. And when Jennifer came to Hillside, I waited for Gary to enter the words I'm reading (haha!) I already know Gary because of the blurb of the book at the back of it. According to their description, Gary's so adorable. But while, I'm reading the book. I can't spot him adorable (maybe? In person haha!) He's cool with everything he has (especially, playing tennis). I really like Russ for Jen. I hated Jen for not leaving Hillside very soon :( But I like Russ for going to Hillside to help his love, Jen, who's in the middle of conflicts. I really ship them. I don't like Gary for Jen. He would find another girl for her. But also not Margo because Margo is for Alan. (Haha!)

[Valetta Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly a well-written story. I was rather impressed by the author's knowledge of farming so I looked up her bio. Winifred Madison was in her 60s when she wrote this book and had quite a life. She lived until the age of 95. She and her husband were farmers and she managed to have a successful career writing and visual artist. The one thing about the story was that Jennifer definitely embodied the Mary Sue trope. Beautiful, brilliant, skilled in all things with the guys wanting her while the girls were jealous. This book was all about reading between the lines. The Gary character was predatory, seducing girls sexually followed by dumping them. Madison never explicitly shows that in the story but it is heavily implied. The Wildfire books will always be my not-so-guilty pleasures!

[Pete Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only Wildfire book I've read. My rating should say it all.

[Reading with Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww...this was cute. Although Gary reminded me of a gross Austin Powers, so there was that. Also, Margo = Satan (even though I’m supposed to like her in the end).

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another old favorite. Poor Jennifer and Ross. Still enjoying my trip down memory lane.

[Vivienne]

I read this years ago and there was teenage angst and rivalry between a city girl and a country girl, i have vague memories of the story.
The only thing I remember correctly from this book is this:

‘I can just see you girls giggling and giggling and drinking milk.’

‘what’s wrong with drinking milk?’

I read this again but first I had to find it on archive.org.